The chemical sector is a key part of the UK economy, accounting for over £9 billion in GVA, contributing over £30 billion in exports, and providing meaningful and well-paid employment. Chemicals and their products can be found in most of everyday life, ranging from automotive, to healthcare, recycling technologies and green energy.
You will be joining the Chemicals, Critical Minerals and Mining Team which sits within the Materials Directorate. Our teams work to ensure the UK has internationally competitive industrial sectors and resilient supply chains for strategically important materials and products. This includes critical minerals, chemicals, plastics, glass, ceramics, steel and aluminium. We are responsible for ensuring that these industries create jobs, decarbonise, build skills and continue to invest and grow economic wealth.
We are looking to recruit two Grade 7s into exciting, varied and high-profile roles in the Chemicals team which will involve leadership, strategic thinking, collaboration across Government and policy development across a broad portfolio. This includes working closely with other DBT teams to contribute into the Industrial Strategy, with DESNZ to support the sectors' transition to Net Zero, Cabinet Office and Treasury on chemical sector resilience and with DEFRA on representing industry views regarding regulation. Other areas of note that are important to the Chemicals team include supply chain resilience to help bolster the economic security as well as to capitalise on new the ‘green’ market opportunities via the Circular Economy Strategy and Taskforce. Working with other government departments and overseas Posts to support inward investment and growth opportunities across the sectors will also be a priority. This will include horizon scanning and agreeing priority markets and supporting individual companies to land investments.
Given the breadth of the policy areas outlined above, both of these roles will involve significant engagement with Ministers, senior officials across Whitehall and senior stakeholders from businesses. Adaptability and the ability to respond to changing business needs will be imperative for these posts.
DBT is a modern and diverse workplace, committed to promoting and ensuring equality and valuing diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process.
You will be taking on an exciting and varied policy portfolio as an industrial sector lead. The exact scope of the role will depend on current priorities, but will likely include some of the following:
* Decarbonisation – Developing viable pathways for the sector to transition their processes to Net Zero and considering policy options which offer protection against carbon leakage.
* Investment - Identifying and facilitating inward investment opportunities.
* Circular Economy and green manufacturing – Working with industry and across government to develop measures which accelerate the deployment of more sustainable manufacturing processes.
* Supply chain resilience – Ensure that Government can adequately respond to incidents or shocks which impinge on the supply of chemicals as well as working with central Government on Economic Deterrence Initiatives (EDI).
* Skills and education – Lead on developing an evidence base on the need for skills and education in the sector and influence other departmental policies to that end.
* Regulation – Work with other Government departments to ensure that domestic (such as UK REACH) and international regulation (such as the UN Plastics Treaty) work for the sector.
* Business relationship management – Building and maintaining relationships with key industry stakeholders, including of key sector groups and councils.
* Supporting on wider pieces of work within the team – this could include correspondence, Parliamentary activity, and communications announcements.
* Leading the development of a business cases for a potential Spending Review bid.
These responsibilities are subject change depending on the successful candidate’s preferences and will likely shift based on business need.
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